I imagined John Blanke as an adventurous musician who has traveled around the world to share his skills, but retains pride in his African heritage. I've chosen to depict him holding two instruments. The gold trumpet he is playing is based on the European-style one he plays in his Tudor-era depictions, whereas the ivory horn he holds in his left hand is a souvenir from his native country and is modeled after various ivory trumpets from ancient Africa.

Brandon Pilcher
Artist, Essayist, and Fiction Writer